This doesn't surprise me at all. Most of the high paying jobs in software development have almost zero academic interest. People with PhDs are simultaneously fa

This doesn't surprise me at all. Most of the high paying jobs in software development have almost zero academic interest. People with PhDs are simultaneously far too overqualified academically and underqualified in terms of raw industry experience to get such jobs. One of the key reservations that I had before starting my PhD was how much it would reduce my employment options and limit my earning potential; I did it anyway. I don't know how things will work out, but I made peace with the fact that I will in all likelihood be earning less after I get my PhD than I was beforehand.